How to Make Life Memorable Without Chasing Things
Most people go through life as if they’re just ticking off days on a calendar, waiting for something to happen. But life isn’t meant to be endured. It’s meant to be devoured, savored, and remembered. I see it every day—people grumbling over their coffee, even in places where the sun shines and the croissants are warm. Whether in Australia or back in France, the pattern is the same: too many people let life happen to them instead of making life happen for themselves.
What’s the difference between those who feel alive and those who feel stuck? It’s not about what you own. It’s about what you experience.
Experiences Over Things
I’ve always been drawn to minimalism. My room, my workspace, even my bed (a simple futon I share with my partner) reflect this. The fewer things you own, the lighter you feel. Every new gadget or item you buy adds complexity and drains your energy. Instead, I focus on quality over quantity. If I upgrade my phone, the old one goes to someone who needs it. I never keep two of the same thing.
Ask yourself: do you really need that new phone, or are you just following the crowd? Only buy something if it truly adds value to your life. Otherwise, you’re just adding clutter.
What really matters are the moments you’ll remember forever. You won’t look back and think, “I’m so glad I bought that useless broom.” But you will remember the time you traveled to Japan, went on safari in Kenya, or tried something new that scared you a little. These are the experiences that shape you.
What I love about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.
— Karl Lagerfeld
Prioritize Your Energy
Positive energy is precious. One of the best ways to protect it is to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. You’ll sleep better and feel more energized. When you wake up, start your day with something that excites you. For me, that’s writing for half an hour, distraction-free. Sometimes it’s a workout, sometimes it’s learning something new.
I use timers and tools like the Pomodoro technique to focus on one thing at a time. When the timer rings, I stop and move on. This keeps me from drifting and losing hours to unimportant tasks.
Time Boxing and the Power of Focus
We all have the same 24 hours. The secret is to use them wisely. I plan my week in advance, identifying the few tasks that will give me the biggest results. This is the Pareto principle: 20% of your actions give you 80% of your results.
Time boxing is simple: set a timer for a task, work until it rings, then stop. If you give yourself too much time, you’ll waste it. Remember those school assignments? If you had two hours, you used two hours. If you had one hour, you finished in one. Compress your work, and you’ll get more done in less time.
Sometimes I go to a coffee shop just before closing, so I have a hard deadline to finish my writing. Or I work until my laptop battery is almost dead—nothing motivates you like 10% left on the battery meter.
Make Your Dreams Concrete
If you want to achieve your dreams, make them visible. Put up photos of your dream destination on your phone, computer, or even your wall. Every time you see them, you’ll be reminded to save money or take action toward that goal.
Break big goals into small steps. Want to save €100,000 for a house? Calculate how much you need to save each day, then brainstorm ways to make it happen. Sometimes, taking a weekend away from all distractions—no phone, no computer, just a notebook—can help you find clarity and new ideas.
The only limit that exists is the one you set for yourself.
Find Joy in the Everyday
Happiness isn’t something you should postpone for years. Don’t sacrifice ten years of your life in misery for a reward that may never come. Find ways to enjoy your environment now. Organize your home so it brings you joy. Do work that feels meaningful, not just for the paycheck.
Group similar tasks together to save time. For example, edit all your videos in one afternoon instead of spreading it out. The same goes for chores like washing dishes—do it all at once and free up your mind for better things.
Get to Know Yourself
Spend time alone, talking to yourself as you would to your best friend. Developers have a trick called “rubber duck debugging”—they explain their problem to a rubber duck, and often, the solution becomes clear just by talking it out. You can do the same with your own challenges.
Have a clear direction for your life. Imagine reading your own name in a dictionary—what would you want it to say about you? Make a list of the things you want to achieve, and take small steps every day to get closer.
Small Steps, Big Results
Every day is a step toward your ultimate goal. Writing a book is just one word after another. Walking 20 kilometers is just one step after another. Don’t get overwhelmed by the big picture. Focus on what you can do today.
Even ten minutes a day adds up. If you practice something for ten minutes every day, that’s over an hour a week. You can learn a new skill, start a side project, or make progress on your dreams with just a little time each day.
Quality is gold. Never sacrifice it for quantity.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize experiences over possessions. Memories last, things don’t.
- Protect your energy by sticking to routines and focusing on what matters.
- Use time boxing to get more done in less time.
- Make your dreams visible and break them into small, actionable steps.
- Find happiness now, not later. Enjoy your environment and your daily life.
- Know yourself. Talk through your problems, set clear goals, and take small steps every day.
Reflection
- What experiences do I want to remember at the end of my life?
- Am I spending my time on what truly matters to me?
- What small step can I take today toward my biggest dream?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Chasing Sensations #Life Experiences #Living Fully #Memorable Life #Personal-Growth #Productivity #Self-Transcendence #Tasks #Time Blocking #Time-Management